In 2015, world leaders came to the conclusion that it was necessary to eradicate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls by 2030. But good intentions are still on paper. According to recent reports, at least one in three women is subjected to physical or sexual violence throughout their lives.
Early marriages, teenage pregnancies, which, in addition to health problems, make it impossible to get an education and decent work, lack of access to medicine, unpaid work, and violence and trafficking in women, all these make women's lives in some countries unbearable. On this basis Thomson Reuters Foundation has compiled a list of 10 countries where a woman is better not to be born.
10. USA
The United States is the only Western country to be in the top ten anti-ratings of the worst countries for women. She owes this condescension, with which authorities look at rapists, lovers to force sex, as well as practicing harassment.
The poll was also conducted at the height of #MeToo, when it turned out that Harvey Weinstein (and not only) had been forcing women to sex for decades, taking advantage of his position in society, and everyone turned a blind eye to this.
9. Nigeria
Nigeria has been in a state of civil war for nine years now - the military have been fighting Islamic groups. But the fact that this country is one of the ten most dangerous states for women in 2018 is not only to blame for the war. In Nigeria, local tribal practices with Islamic colors are common, which pose a threat to the health and life of women. Also, pimps from richer countries massively do business in Nigerian women, forcing them to engage in prostitution in other countries.
8. Yemen
For three years, the territory of Yemen serves as a platform for the clash of interests of Saudi Arabia and Iran. During these three years, more than 10 thousand people were killed, more than three million were forced to leave their usual habitats, and Yemen itself separates nothing from mass starvation.
They try to save on women in Yemen first of all by restricting (more than usual) their access to healthcare, economic resources, and exposing them to crippling tribal practices.
7. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The prevalence of sexual violence in the Congo is one of the highest in the world. The eastern part of the country was nicknamed the “world capital of rape,” and the rest of the population perceives violence against women as the norm.
Military groups abduct women and girls and enslave them, while the number of rapes by civilians has increased 17 times. If we add to this the restrictions on education, work and medical services, it becomes clear that it is better not to be a woman in Congo.
6. Pakistan
The sixth place in the list of the most dangerous countries for women is Pakistan. He is notorious for the so-called "honor killings" - when women pay for their crimes with the crimes of men. One in three Pakistani women is subjected to domestic violence (moreover, it is believed that this figure is still underestimated). Pakistani women are also restricted in their right to education, work and medical care.
5. Saudi Arabia
Despite external well-being, being a woman in Saudi Arabia is not easy. The conservative kingdom restricts women in many areas, including the possibility of work, the right to education and property, thereby virtually depriving them of the opportunity to earn a living.
Women are forced to ask permission from male relatives for travel abroad, marriage, and so on. Over the past few years, the government has been trying to increase the number of working women, finally allowing the ladies to drive a car and at the same time arresting and imprisoning activists.
4. Somalia
An impoverished country located on the peninsula of the African continent of the same name, since 1991, has been drawn into a civil war. Many groups are fighting for power in Somalia - from the Mujahideen Islamist groups to self-proclaimed tribal formations. The situation is aggravated by constant droughts and the famine caused by them.
The fate of being a woman in Somalia can only be wished for the enemy. In addition to ugly tribal practices, their access to food, water and housing is even lower than that of men.
3. Syria
After seven years of civil war (which killed about 510 thousand people), 5.5 million Syrians emigrated to neighboring countries, and 6.1 million remaining in their homeland (out of 18 million people) were forced to leave their homes and live like refugees.
It is not surprising that in such a country it is dangerous to be a woman - they are subjected to violence both at home, from relatives, and from the outside, from the military and gangs.
2. Afghanistan
Almost 17 years have passed since the fall of the Taliban regime, but the situation for women in Afghanistan has not improved. Women are the victims of a showdown between gangs, are subjected to domestic violence, have virtually no access to health care, and are discriminated against in matters of work and land ownership.
The Afghan state is not doing anything to prosecute those who abuse women.
1. India
It turns out that a country where everyone is dancing and singing has a different face - and it is much less attractive. India has firmly held the position of the worst country for women for years.
To be born a woman in India is a high risk of harassment and sexual abuse. There are still high chances of becoming a victim of any cultural or historical custom, even fatal. I would like to believe that the situation is changing, given the protests that swept through all the cities of the country after the murder of a student in New Delhi in 2012. However, the number of rape in India is growing from year to year, and the government of Narendra Modi does nothing to protect her citizens.